Microsoft is changing the default save behaviour in Word for Windows so that every new document is created and stored in the cloud by default, with AutoSave switched on from the moment the file is opened. The update, now in public testing for Microsoft 365 Insiders, automatically assigns the current date as the provisional file name and stores the document on OneDrive or another cloud location the user selects. The feature is available in Word Version 2509 (Build 19221.20000) and will be extended to Excel and PowerPoint for Windows later this year, the company said in a blog post by product manager Raul Munoz. Users can rename files, choose alternative cloud providers or disable the setting in Word Options, but saving locally now requires additional steps. Microsoft says the move reduces the risk of data loss and simplifies cross-device collaboration. Some early testers, however, have criticised the default cloud-first approach for generating unwanted files and adding friction for those who prefer local storage or have compliance concerns.